...what are you watching...

Toki o Kakeru Shoujo 2010 live-action jmovie! is a sequel to the original story (mostly unrelated to the 2006 anime movie). The daughter of the original protagonist travels back in time to deliver her mother's message to the time traveler her mother met back then. She accidentally travels two years too late, and befriends a boy who tries to help her deliver the message. I attempted to watch the 1997 film, but frankly, it was boring. This updated movie is also slow on the magic, but is overall, a pleasant movie. It is similar to the prior incarnations as girl meets boy, girl tries to prevent the inevitable, girl leaves boy. The voice of Makoto from the anime movie is the lead in this movie. ~6/10 rating~ not so 2010 as you'd hope.

Giant Killing opening - hasn't lured me into watching a soccer anime, but I like unusual song combined with the soccer visuals.

Hakuouki opening - has actually turned me off watching this reverse harem Shinsengumi anime. The animation quality was worse than I thought it would be, and the song was grating.

..how about a couple trailers...
Solanin live action jmovie - based on the 2-volume manga looks good, but I think the trailer gives away the whole story.
Toki o Kakeru Shojo live-action jmovie - based on the novel, so it looks different than the animated movie. The original live-action movie made me sleepy. I wonder how this one will turn out.

..pirate(d) movies.

Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo had recently been out for a little while now and after seeing so many positive reviews about it, I couldn't resist any longer. In short, it's excellent! Loved all the characters, the pacing, the animation & the story. Makoto, the lead female, finds that she has the ability to leap through time without making a constipated face and with that new power, she goes back to fix little things in her life. She's a great character; not too bright, fun, silly & kind. Her two best friends, Chiaki and Makoto, are supportive and endearing. This movie doesn't set any precedents, but it feels new and refreshing. It's simply a wonderful, funny slice-of-life story with a tiny sci-fi twist. ~9/10 rating~ Totally satisfying, but minus one for a dull ending theme song.

Naruto: Great Excitement! The Animal Riot of Crescent Moon Island or the 3rd Naruto movie. Nicely animated, but a very boring story. Naruto, Kakashi, Sakura & Rock Lee escort a whiny prince and his entourage back to his country. I basically fast-forwarded to the fight scenes. Some people watch football, I like animated ninjas. Rock Lee had an exceptionally fun fight scene. ~5/10 rating~